Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

These delicious air fryer jalapeño poppers are perfect for game day or any other occasion! They’re an easy to make and a real crowd pleaser.

If you’re a fan of jalapeño poppers but don’t want the mess and hassle of deep-frying them, then this air fryer jalapeño popper recipe is just what you need!

They are easy, healthy and will make your taste buds dance with delight. These delicious bites come together in less than 20 minutes, and are the perfect combination of heat and cheese.

They are an ideal appetizer for any party or get-together. Who doesn’t like Jalapeno poppers after all?

Plus, they can be made ahead – so all you have to do is pop them back into the air fryer for a minute or two when it’s time to serve.

So gather up your ingredients, preheat your air fryer and let’s get started!

Why You Will LOVE This Air Fryer Jalapeño Popper Recipe

• All the classic flavour of jalapeno poppers without the mess and hassle of deep-frying.
• These jalapeno poppers are quick and easy to make, with minimal prep time required.
• Make a double or triple batch and freeze some for later!
• They’re sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering
• Creamy, spicy, smoky, and oh so cheesy.
• Perfect for making ahead of time.
• A healthier alternative to deep-fried jalapeno poppers.

What to Serve with Jalapeno Poppers

• Enjoy your jalapeno poppers with ranch dressing or a cooling Greek yogurt dip. They also go well with guacamole, salsa, sour cream or any other dip that you like.
• For a complete meal, pair the jalapeno poppers with seasoned roasted potatoes, a side salad, and BBQ ribs or roast chicken.
• They’re also delicious when served as an appetizer alongside some chips and dip!
• They are a natural pairing with pizza, burgers and tacos.

Jalapeño Popper Variations

• Change up the seasonings. You can mix things up by using different seasonings. Try adding some Cajun seasoning, chipotle, garam masala, or even taco seasoning.
• Make it vegetarian by using vegan cream cheese in the filling and swapping out the bacon for some chopped bell peppers or sauteed mushrooms.
• Add some heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese filling.
• Try using different kinds of cheeses such as Monterey Jack, Gouda, or goat cheese in the filling.
• Add some diced roasted red peppers for an extra touch of flavour and colour.
• Garnish with fresh chopped herbs such as parsley or cilantro before serving.
• Add some cooked sausage to the cheese mixture for a delicious twist.
• Skip the cheese filling altogether and stuff the peppers with buffalo chicken dip or any other warm dip that you like.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

• Select evenly sized jalapenos if possible, as this will help them cook evenly in the air fryer.
• For milder Jalapeno poppers, follow the recipe as directed.
• For jalapeno poppers with more heat, remove the seeds only but leave the ribs.
• For the spiciest poppers, remove the seeds only and mix them into the cheese filling.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, the jalapeño poppers can also be baked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crispy.
• Wear gloves when preparing the jalapenos. The capsaicin oils in jalapenos can cause mild to severe skin irritation if not handled properly.
• Cook the jalapeno poppers in batches, to ensure good air circulation and so that they cook evenly.

How to Make Jalapeno Poppers Ahead of Time

To make jalapeno poppers ahead of time, fill the peppers with the cheese mixture but do not add panko. Store them in an air tight container in a single layer, or stacked with wax paper or parchment paper between layers.

Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

When ready to cook, coat the jalapeno poppers with panko before air frying.

You can also prepare the cheese filling ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Assemble and cook as directed just before serving.

How to Store Leftover Jalapeno Poppers

Leftover jalapeno poppers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Before storing, allow the poppers to cool completely, then place them in the container.

To make sure the jalapeno poppers don’t become soggy, place a paper towel at the bottom and top of the container.

When ready to enjoy, simply heat up in an air fryer set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes or until hot.

It’s important to note that leftover fried jalapeno poppers should not be stored at room temperature for more than 2 hours as they may become unsafe to eat. This is because the cheese in jalapeño poppers can can easily spoil if not refrigerated correctly. So make sure to store yours properly and enjoy!

Can You Freeze Leftover Jalapeno Poppers

You can also freeze leftover jalapeno poppers. To do so, place the cooled poppers on a baking sheet or plate in an even layer and put it in the freezer for 1-2 hours until frozen solid.

Once frozen, transfer the jalapeno poppers to an airtight container or resealable bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat, simply place frozen jalapeno poppers in an air fryer preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes or until heated through. Enjoy!

About the Ingredients for Jalapeno Poppers

Jalapenos – I recommend using jalapenos that are a medium size, about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Using smaller or larger ones isn’t a deal breaker, but it may affect having too little or too much filling. Make sure you choose jalapenos that are fresh and firm.

Cream cheese – Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavour, and be sure that the cream cheese is soft so that it combines easily with the other ingredients.

Shredded cheese – Use brick cheese, and shred it yourself for the best results. Packaged shredded cheese contains additives that change the flavour and melt of the cheese.

Bacon – The bacon should be cooked until crispy. You can also use 1/4 cup of real bacon bits if you want to avoid frying bacon.

Seasoning – Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper flavour the cheese mixture.

Green onion – Sliced thinly.

Bread crumbs – Panko bread crumbs work best here, but you can use regular breadcrumbs instead.

Looking for More Air Fryer Recipes?

Check out more of my favourite air fryer recipes!

Cook a perfect prime rib roast in your air fryer each and every time with this easy air fryer prime rib recipe. Juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection with a tasty horseradish crust!

This air fryer falafel recipe is an easy and healthy way to make falafel that are crispy on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside.

This delicious and easy air fryer meatloaf recipe is perfect for a quick and hearty meal on busy weeknights.

How to Make Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers

Yields: `12 Jalapeno poppers | Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 5-7 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 Jalapenos
• 2 slices cooked bacon
• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 green onions, diced
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions:

To prepare jalapenos, start by wearing gloves and removing the stems of each jalapeno.

Cut the jalapeno in half lengthwise from the top to the bottom.

Use a spoon to remove the seeds and white membrane as much as possible.

Chop bacon into small pieces, about the size of bacon bits.

Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, onion powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, bacon, and green onions together.

Use a spoon to fill each jalapeno halve to the edges with cream cheese mixture, pressing down to compact the mixture some.

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pour panko crumbs into a flat plate. Dip each jalapeno, cream cheese side down, into the breadcrumb mixture.

Place jalapenos in a single layer into your air fryer, cooking in batches if necessary.

Cook jalapenos for 5-8 minutes.